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Vincent had been sure he’d struggle to find the scent when he decided to check on his strawberry. When there was a clear trail from the vampire he was more than a little shocked. It went off in a few directions, but one was standing out. Almost like she’d come back each night. He growled a bit before shifting completely to follow the scent. He hadn’t shifted completely in a while, but it felt nice. He almost appreciated that it was taking a few hours to reach despite his size and speed.
The trail that girl left ran straight through the forest. He growled as the sounds of nature died away. He entered her territory. He snarled and picked up speed. He hadn’t caught even a hint of his strawberry yet. He reached the treeline and began to slow down. Slowly he surveyed the area. A large house that felt out of place with a garden. There was no sign of humans nearby, who was she feeding on then.
He took cautious steps. He didn’t need to let her know he was there if she stayed awake. He’d caught the smell of burns on her last time. She’d gone out in the day to find his strawberry. The place was coated in the vampire’s scent. He started to catch faint human scents. He crouched lower. Humans usually explained away seeing him as a trick of the light. Any other form and it usually gave him a meal he didn’t plan.
“What’s got you so anxious?” a feminine voice called. He went towards the noise. A place that seemed like a garden, but held strange smells. Probably something the vampire kept.
“Do you truly think the man you spoke of will come here?” another voice asked. Vincent crept closer, they were oddly quiet. He started shifting back, but kept himself wolf enough to walk undetected.
“He said he would,” he smiled, that was his strawberry. He stayed low, a fence built high enough to keep humans out was there. It would be easy enough to go back to normal on this side. “You don’t get it, he was going to kill Del and said he’d eat me. I shouldn’t have done that, but…”
Vincent stood as he went back to his human form. He was lucky all three little beings were gathered together. He placed a hand on the fence. He’d need to wait until he was ready to jump before going over. He didn’t want his surprise ruined. He changed his mind pulling his hand from the fence and crouching down again. He crawled around to the side closest to the door. He could just barely hear the footsteps passing over the dirt. They were moving closer to the far side. Perfect.
“But, what? You’re lucky Vitus managed to wake Delphia up. What if you didn’t get loose from the bird? You still owe her too,” the feminine voice chastised. He could hear the sigh of his strawberry.
“I know and that’s why I’m out here trying to help get what we need to help take care of the burns. I just…”
Vincent was done waiting. He gripped the fence hard and threw himself over. The screams of his strawberry and the others made him smile. He landed hard, laughing as the three fell. They weren’t glad his strawberry went on an adventure, but he was. He’d been looking for him for a long time and the little man fell right in his lap. He took heavy steps closer before crouching over the three.
“Well strawberry, glad to see you’re still alive,” he purred. His strawberry was shaking, but he didn’t care. He reached down, pinching Rhys between his claws. The other two shouted, but they weren’t his goal. If they wanted to sell themselves to a vampire he didn’t care. He did care about Rhys though. Rhys was struggling, but making sure to avoid his claws.
“I told you my name is Rhys!” Rhys shouted. Vincent brought him closer and took a long sniff of his body.
“You still smell like them so I can’t see why I should call you anything else.” He brought the small man down to his chest. He used a free hand to open his pocket. “You’re coming with me.”
“What?!” All three of them screamed.
“You can’t just take him!” the feminine voice shouted. She smelled like mint. The other one smelled like flowers and climbed to their feet stepping forward.
“Why do you intend to take him?” they asked.
“He’s mine, I can do what I want.” The smirk showed off the fangs and teeth he’d normally hidden.
“Wait, not today! I need to help get the flowers as they bloom! J-just come back in a week.” Vincent huffed, he has no intention of leaving without his strawberry.
“Then I guess I’ll curl up right here in this cabbage patch, just going to dig up the things giving it the awful smell.” The way the two on ground paled almost made him feel bad. He didn’t care that much though, he just needed to take his strawberry. Once Rhys saw what he’d set up he wouldn’t want to stay with the vampire anymore.
“No! I-I’ll go. Let’s just go…”
Rhys sounded upset. Vincent just dropped him in his pocket and stood. He did make sure to be more cautious, avoiding the plants as he left. Once he jumped over he started running fast. He couldn’t do a full shift, but some traits would help him run faster. He never actually tried to figure out which form was faster. He was a little smaller as a full wolf so this might be faster.
Vincent spent the time in silence. He had to stay focused on humans showing up, he didn’t particularly want to kill one with Rhys on him. They’d get home, Rhys would see a place for him, and then that vampire chick could stay out of their lives. He didn’t care how much Rhys thought she was good, vampires betray their humans.
He started to slow as the hours carried on. That vampire chick might show up again. He’d need to find something to hide their scent. He started walking, there should be a river around here. He didn’t intend to go to the same place at least. It gave them a bit of an easier time. He felt the squirming of Rhys in his pocket.
“What’s up strawberry?” he asked. He could feel as Rhys fell down into his pocket. It seems speaking with him that close got a shock. That was good to know.
“What are you doing?” he sounded out of breath. Vincent held back a sound of concern. No reason to open it up while Rhys could leave a trail for the vampire.
“I’m making sure your keeper can’t find us this time.” He heard the little heartbeat speed up.
“We’re going somewhere else?”
“You didn’t really think I’d stay in my den now that a vamp had been there, did you?”
“I don’t know anything about things like you.” Rhys was trying to be insulting. It was kind of cute. “Besides… she won’t be coming. Even if she wants to she can’t get out of bed. She was burned badly from coming to get me…”
“Then I guess I’ll get going again.”
Vincent could hear the pain in Rhys’s voice. A part of him wanted to comfort his strawberry. This wasn’t the time. He had to get home and make Rhys understand vampires were dangerous. They always wanted something and once they got it they’d kill you. He’d seen it more than once when he was still human. He’d be dead if a wolf hadn’t taken pity on him.
He picked up running again. If she showed up he could fight her. She wasn’t anything special like she tried to pretend. Vampires were all the same and he knew the best ways to kill them. A growl slipped out because of his thoughts. Rhys started trembling. Vincent placed a hand over the small form in his pocket. He was so small, that vampire just wanted fucking treats.
He didn’t slow until he reached his new den. It wasn’t much yet, but it would be fine. Rhys didn’t need most human things and neither did he. An old cabin was more than enough. He finally let himself go back to his human form completely. He stepped onto the wooden porch, the creak of it a welcoming sound. This place was built by a wolf bigger than him, it would hold him. He ducked into the house, for some reason the guy didn’t decide to build bigger doorways.
He let the door slam behind him before slipping into the house. It was one of the few dens he had access to where he didn’t have to stay hunched over. He stretched, smiling a bit as Rhys wriggled. The cloth pressed his small form against Vincent’s chest, knowing he was there was nice. He made his way over to the spot he’d set up for his strawberry. This would start getting him out of the brainwashing from that vamp.
“Got you something strawberry,” he said.
His voice was softer than the last time he spoke. As much fun as it was to see the small man panic, he wanted him safe. He slipped his hand into his pocket, careful to maneuver his fingers underneath Rhys. It felt strange to hold someone so small again. The top of his fingers were more than enough space for him. Vincent could be careful though, vampires couldn’t.
Rhys had his eyes shut as he was brought out of the pocket. Vincent wasn’t even sure this was the right size, but it’s better than everything being as big as Vincent needed. He stared at the small form again, Rhys was cute when he was terrified. He couldn’t wait to see what he looked like feeling everything else. He moved his hand slowly to the table, right in front of his gift.
“Can’t really see if you keep your eyes closed like that.” Vincent started to worry he’d gone too far last time. He wouldn’t actually eat someone this small. It wasn’t worth it for him and he wasn’t actually cruel.
Rhys opened his eyes slowly. The way he jumped up once he saw where he was made Vincent smile. The small man took the chance to hop off of Vincent’s finger. Rhys stared up at him like he was waiting. Vincent felt a bit bad, his ears would droop if they were out. He pointed behind Rhys with the hand not on the table. Rhys started shaking before turning around.
“It’s… a doll house?” he asked. Vincent smiled before crouching down. He narrowed his eyes, opting to sit on the ground instead. The table was just a bit too low for him to crouch at it.
“Yeah, figured it would be easier to stay in,” Vincent explained. “I added some clothes for you too.”
“You got a doll house… for me?”
“It’s about the right size. Although it was a bit hard to tell with how small you are. I can always get another one if you need it a different size.”
Vincent smirked, he expected some reaction about calling him small. Rhys just stood there staring at the house. He could be overwhelmed, the vampire probably didn’t do anything like this. He leaned forward holding back a laugh as his breath made Rhys step forward. They could have a lot of fun with how small he is. If he grew his claws out more Rhys could probably sit on them.
“I know, it’s probably better than anything that vamp got you straw-”
“I told you it’s Rhys!” He shouted. He turned and Vincent felt his heart skip. Rhys, his strawberry, was crying. He shouldn’t be crying. It didn’t look like happy tears, but maybe it was.
“I didn’t know a doll house would make you so happy, guess I should take a look at what else I can get you. I saw some things I’d thought looked about your size.”
“I’m not a doll,” the small man whispered. Vincent barely heard it and he didn’t want to hear it. He knew Rhys wasn’t a doll. Rhys was a human, his strawberry, and someone he couldn’t live without. They’d told him he’d know and he did. Rhys was everything to him.
“What?” Vincent needed Rhys to not say it again.
“I’m not a doll, you know!” He was shouting again. “Stop treating me like one!”
Vincent sat back. He didn’t mind looming for this moment. He stared down at the little man. His body was basically the tip of his finger. He thought Vincent was treating him like a doll. He watched the little man take careful steps back. Even now he was terrified. Vincent growled. Of course he’d messed up like this. It didn’t matter though, if he kept Rhys alive it was enough.
“Complain all you want. I’m not taking you back.” Vincent snarled. He would keep Rhys alive.
“What the hell do you want from me?” Vincent didn’t like this. “You threatened to eat me, say you’re going to kill someone I consider family, then kidnap me from my family and act like I should thank you for a doll house?!”
Vincent slammed a hand on the table. Rhys was knocked down and stared up in fear. Vincent should be getting thanked. He saved Rhys from a vampire. Those people probably weren’t even his family anymore. He growled again. He started to dig his claws into the table.
“I’m trying to fucking save you. You wound up with me after getting away from the vampire and went back so easily. I’m not letting you die because you decide to look at me like a monster.” Vincent glared down at the man. If he were human he’d miss the tears and shaking of the small form. Rhys climbed to his feet and stepped forward though.
“You didn’t save me, I wasn’t running! I went exploring and a bird caught me. All my family saw was a bird take me away. They woke Delphia who fucking went out in the sun for me… who can’t even get out of bed because of me…”
“So what, do you want to go back to her? She’s just going to eat you and your family. At least here you’ll be safe.” Vincent dug his claws deeper in the table. How insane was Rhys to think she actually cared.
“Yes I do. I’d rather die because of her than you deciding I wasn’t a good doll!”
“I never said you were a fucking doll.”
Vincent growled again. His claws digging into the table even more. That was too much, the spot he leaned on broke under his weight. The table shook and Rhys stumbled. He was too close to the edge. He was going to fall. Vincent had to do something. He did the first thing he could think of and used the table to control where Rhys fell. Rhys’s feet left the surface and he just barely caught him. He curled his fingers over Rhys and pulled his hand close. The whole table smashed into him, the house went flying and slammed into the ground.
He was panting once he hit the ground himself. He felt like his world was about to shatter at that moment. He was terrified to make sure he hadn’t done too much. Rhys had to be safe, he couldn’t lose him. He lifted the arm that still had the table around it. He slammed it hard to the side of himself, shattering the wood. He closed his eyes as the splinters flew around him. After a few minutes of just laying there he sat up and flipped his closed fist palm up.
“Are you ok, Rhys?” he whispered. He uncurled his fingers waiting for a scent of death to hit him. The pink eyes brimming with tears looking at him were more of a relief than he’d ever admit. At least to anyone other than the small man in his hand. “I thought I fucked up… Did you get hurt?”
“I’m ok…” his voice was quiet. All the things Vincent had in his head were gone, he just didn’t want Rhys to get killed.
“I’ll kill her if she kills you. I’ll give her a chance though. I’ll even help you with the flowers or whatever you were doing when I came to get you…”
“She said if you came you could stay in the house for a while. Might be better than this place. It won’t creak under your weight.”
“Do you know the flowers you need for her?”
“Yeah, I could probably point them out. I don’t know the name.”
“All right, let’s go.”